Chicago scientists: meat and dairy products improve the ability to fight malignant tumors

Scientists from the University of Chicago were searching for small molecules that can inhibit the growth of cancer tumors and enhance the effect of anti-cancer therapy, and found that trans-vaccenic acid (TVA), which is found in fatty beef, lamb, butter and other full-fat dairy products, and in breast milk, can affect several types of cancer by activating immune cells that fight tumors.

To test their discovery, scientists conducted experiments on mice with different types of tumors. Animals were fed food with increased TVA content. During the experiment, it was found that in mice that received this food, tumors grew noticeably slower, and in the tumors themselves there was an increased content of T-killers (a type of T-lymphocytes that destroy damaged cells in the body).

To find out whether TVA could be used in cancer therapy in humans, the research team analyzed blood samples from patients undergoing treatment with modified CAR-T cells and found that those who had higher levels of TVA in their blood responded better to immunotherapy treatment .